His facial features, as profound as his songs, especially when life was slipping away from him. The face of Andrea Parodi, the singer from Porto Torres who passed away twenty years ago, was reproduced by the artist with a Sardinian soul, Daniele Salis, with the same love and passion with which he wanted to donate the work to the city of Porto Torres. A Corten steel sculpture dedicated to the memory of the unforgettable singer, on the twentieth anniversary of his death. The delivery took place in the afternoon at the opening of the City Council meeting, accompanied by the screening of a video that recounted the various stages of the sculpture's creation. "When I began creating this work, I knew the difficulties I would encounter. The first is myself, because I'm no Michelangelo, but having artistic limitations, I didn't know what the result would be. "I hope this city appreciates my commitment and the passion I put into this work," said Daniele Salis in the council chamber before Mayor Massimo Mulas and Councilor for Culture Maria Bastiana Cocco. "Corten steel changes with the seasons and with time," he added, "I chose it because it is a living metal, just like the memory of Parodi within each of us."
The artist thanked the entire Parodi family present in the courtroom. Daniele Salis began his exploration of ironwork at just 14 years old, in his father's garage, where he began experimenting with his own equipment. Five years ago, seeing requests for original creations from all over Sardinia, he created his own brand, "Ferragliart." The artist likes to describe himself as a "free hobbyist" and a "Sardopatico," a testament to his deep connection to his homeland. Daniele Salis's work now becomes part of the cultural heritage and identity of Porto Torres. In the coming days, the most suitable location will be identified so that residents and visitors can admire it and spare a thought for an artist who lives on in the heart of his city, the entire island, and beyond. Born in Porto Torres on July 18, 1955, Andrea Parodi passed away on October 17, 2006, at just 51 years old, after a battle with an incurable disease. The legendary singer of Tazenda, a refined soloist, and an artist of extraordinary sensitivity and generosity, he left a musical and human legacy as unique as his voice and expressiveness. "The enthusiasm for this work has prompted us to bring forward the presentation without waiting until the twentieth anniversary of Andrea's death," Councilor Cocco concluded. "That event is scheduled for the end of the year. In the meantime, we hope to find an ideal location where it can be safely housed."
